BOURKE SHIRE COUNCIL 2012/2013 ANNUAL REPORT OUR GUIDING OPERATING PRINCIPLE (Our Motto) “Building a strong united community, proud of our past and committed to our future” This page is left intentionally blank Page 2 of 60 Bourke Shire Council Annual Report 2012/2013 TABLE OF CONTENTS Contents Contents ..................................................................................................................................... 3 MAYOR’S MESSAGE ................................................................................................................... 4 GENERAL MANAGER’S FOREWORD ........................................................................................... 5 BOURKE SHIRE COUNCIL’S STRATEGIC DIRECTION FOR THE NEXT DECADE (2011 – 2021) .... 10 BOURKE SHIRE COUNCIL’S STRATEGIC DIRECTION FOR THE NEXT DECADE (2011 – 2021) .... 11 STATEMENT OF VALUES ........................................................................................................... 12 BOURKE SHIRE COUNCIL STATISICAL INFORMATION .............................................................. 13 COUNCILLORS .......................................................................................................................... 14 COUNCIL STAFFING STRUCTURE .............................................................................................. 15 STATUTORY INFORMATION ..................................................................................................... 16 PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES .............................................................................................................. 24 TOURISM & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ................................................................................. 25 CORPORATE SERVICES SECTION .............................................................................................. 28 ROADS SECTION OF ENGINEERING .......................................................................................... 33 WATER AND WASTEWATER SECTION OF ENGINEERING ......................................................... 41 TOWN SERVICES SECTION OF ENGINEERING ........................................................................... 43 ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES .................................................................................................... 51 Page 3 of 60 Bourke Shire Council Annual Report 2012/2013 MAYOR’S MESSAGE It is again with great pleasure that I present the Annual Report for Bourke Shire Council for the 2012-2013 year. The report provides an insight into the achievements of Bourke Shire Council throughout the year and outlines these achievements according to our community strategic plan and vision for the community. The year has been one of change for Bourke Shire Council with the retirement of our General Manager, Geoff Wise and the welcoming of Ross Earl to the position. Throughout the year several of our longest serving staff also retired from their positions and I wish them well with their retirements and new roles. Bourke Shire Council also underwent a Promoting Better Practice Review and it is a credit to all staff and Councillors that there were no significant adverse comments and many of the recommendations of the review team were implemented immediately. The Independent Local Government Review Panel continued to meet with Councillors and Staff and formal responses were provided to the Panel in regards to the various review papers. The Local Government Review may mean change for Bourke Shire Council and we await the Government’s response and determination of which recommendations will be implemented. Councillors have lobbied to ensure that Bourke Shire Council remains a Local Government entity in its own right and is strongly opposed to the formation of a large ‘Western Region Authority’, perhaps governed from Broken Hill. I have continued to represent the Bourke community in relation to the many issues that we face in Western New South Wales. Both our State and Federal local members continue to actively represent us and assist in issues such as seeking improvement to local roads, improvements to social and economic well being, in the area of water reform and reinstatement of air services. In part of the review of the Bourke Shire Community Strategic Plan, Councillors and staff visited all the other towns and villages within the Shire to provide the opportunity for input from the residents of those areas. Thank you to all staff of Bourke Shire Council for the work you have undertaken throughout the year. I extend my sincere thanks to the Deputy Mayor, Cr Barry Hollman and fellow Councillors who give up a considerable amount of time in maintaining the governance of Council and working for the betterment of the Bourke Shire area. Andrew Lewis MAYOR, BOURKE SHIRE COUNCIL Page 4 of 60 Bourke Shire Council Annual Report 2012/2013 GENERAL MANAGER’S FOREWORD The 2012-2013 financial year has been a positive one for Bourke Shire Council and the community with the Council delivering on many of its goals outlined in its Operational and Delivery Plans. Council is involved in a diverse range of activities throughout the Shire with the responsibilities and duties spread across its Roads, Town Services, Water & Wastewater, Environmental Services, Tourism and Economic Development Departments. Highlights throughout the year have included: Renewal of the Louth Toilets (in conjunction with the Louth Progress Association) - $87,000.00 Reseal Louth Airstrip $66,000.00 Warraweena Street Well $552,000 Reseal Regional Roads $429,000 Renewal Deadmans Creek Bridge $600,000 Construction of new cell at Waste Depot $129,000 Purchase new Garbage Truck $319,000 Purchase Frontend Loader $219,000 Beemery Bridge Construction and Opening Rehabilitation of Mitchell Highway North $780,000 Widening of Kamillaroi Highway $600,000 Upgrade of Willera Crossing $70,000 Digitization of the Western Herald – Grant $27,000 Town Street Reseals - $220,000 Council has continued to work on its financial sustainability and it is pleasing that several key indicators that highlight the financial performance of the organisation have improved as has our ability to fund our long-term commitments. The Promoting Better Practice Review was positive in its comments regarding how Bourke Shire Council was operating and offered a number of recommendations for improvements which have all been accepted and many already implemented. I thank all of the Managers and staff across the organisation for the work that they are undertaking and the progress made in achieving our Delivery and Operational Plans. I would also like to thank the Councillors for their direction and guidance in setting the goals, vision and policies of Bourke Shire Council and their commitment to the future of the community. Thank you to all Councillors, Staff and community members for making Annette and I feel welcome in Bourke and I look forward to the upcoming year and the opportunity to further deliver on the organisational and community goals. The years ahead will not be without challenges but with a positive and “can do” attitude across all sections of the community we will achieve these goals. Ross Earl General Manager Page 5 of 60 Bourke Shire Council Annual Report 2012/2013 FINANCIAL INDICATOR TRENDS OVER 15 YEAR PERIOD The Unrestricted Current Ratio is a financial indicator specific to local government and represents Council’s ability to meet its debts and obligations as they fall due. The ratio assesses the adequacy of working capital and its ability to satisfy obligations in the short term for the unrestricted activities. Acceptable Measures: Less than 1:1 = RED Between 1:1 & 2:1 = AMBER Between 2:1 & 10:1 = GREEN Greater than 10:1 = RED Two year forward target for Bourke Shire Council: Over 2:1 RED Remedial action required AMBER Must monitor trend closely GREEN Acceptable The Available Working Capital – (Working Funds) is a more meaningful financial indicator specific to Local Government. Net Current Assets are adjusted by eliminating both external and internal reserves held for future purposes. Two year forward target for Bourke Shire Council: Greater than $4,500,000 The Debt Service Ratio assesses the impact of loan principal & interest repayments on the discretionary revenue of Council. Acceptable measures: Less than 10% = Green Between 10% & 15% = Amber Greater than 15% = Red Two year forward target for Bourke Shire Council: Less than 5.5% RED Remedial action required AMBER Must monitor trend closely GREEN Acceptable The Rates & Annual Charges Outstanding Percentage assesses the impact of uncollected rates and annual charges on Council’s liquidity and the adequacy of recovery efforts. Acceptable measures: Less than 6% = Green Between 6% & 9% = Amber Greater than 9% = Red Two year forward target for Bourke Shire Council: Less than 9% RED Remedial action required AMBER Must monitor trend closely GREEN Acceptable Page 7 of 60 Bourke Shire Council Annual Report 2012/2013 Rates & Annual Charges Outstanding Ratio: The purpose of the Rates & Annual Charges Outstanding Ratio is to assess the impact of uncollected rates and annual charges on Council’s liquidity and the adequacy of recovery efforts. Two year forward target for Bourke Shire Council: Less than 9% Building & Infrastructure Renewals Ratio: The purpose of the Building & Infrastructure Renewals Ratio is to assess the rate at which these assets are being renewed relative to the rate at which they are depreciating. Page 8 of 60 Bourke Shire Council Annual Report 2012/2013 BOURKE
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